Matt Hollinshead: L.A. a realistic future destination for NFL teams

He is aware of the potential for NFL football in Los Angeles, even going so far as to say he wants a team back in the City of Angels within the next two years. He is also mindful that L.A. had two professional teams before. The former L.A. Laker and current partial owner of the Dodgers again shows how ballsy he is. More importantly, it's realistic.

Geographically and financially, it's realistic. You have the fan base. You have the championship history. You have the money. You have Hollywood. And yes, you can count on Jack Nicholson and Billy Crystal visiting other venues aside from Staples Center.

There are reports of a proposed $1.2 billion privately funded football stadium in downtown L.A. It'd be built right next to Staples Center and would be a 72,000-seat, roofed stadium.

Another report said that Farmers Insurance Exchange would be the sponsor, naming the stadium "Farmers Field." That could grab actor J.K. Simmons' attention (Ba da da da ba ba ba!)

The other factor the city should use to its advantage include rumors of possible team relocations.

The Oakland Raiders and St. Louis Rams were the first two team names to surface.

The Raiders played in L.A. from 1982-1994, where they won three AFC West titles and Super Bowl XVIII on Jan. 22, 1984.

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The Rams played in L.A. from 1946-1994. Although they moved to Anaheim in 1980, they kept the name "Los Angeles Rams." They remained locally prominent.

And let's not forget the rejuvenated San Diego Chargers. They have second-year head coach Mike McCoy, quarterback Philip Rivers and quality young talent in second-year linebacker Manti Te'o. They made the playoffs last season, the first time in four years.

While fans were generally unsatisfied with the results during former coach Norv Turner's final few seasons, San Diego was always one of those teams you couldn't overlook. They reached the postseason six times since 2004.

While the Raiders and Rams would be more practical choices from a historical standpoint, L.A. may react even more positively to bringing the Chargers to their city. Because San Diego is back to being a playoff-caliber team, I wouldn't rule out that scenario.

While Toronto and San Antonio were other cities mentioned as possible future destinations for other NFL teams, I don't see it happening - at least not by 2016, anyway.

Toronto is in the hockey capital of the world, Canada. The only team I'd ever realistically see heading north of the border would be the Buffalo Bills. The reason? Close proximity.

San Antonio already has substantial pride in its NBA team, the Spurs. San Antonio is a basketball city, and I'm not sure getting an NFL team would affect the Spurs' status among the locals. While Texas is football crazy, San Antonio would not be the sexiest location when you compare it to what L.A. offers.

Present uncertainty creates future possibilities of reliving the glory days, with the opportunity to do much more.

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